The Art of the Unplanned

Sometimes, the best camping itinerary is the one that you don't plan and are totally spontaneous. We had a change in our schedule last weekend and decided to check on any openings at Harrison Lake State Park in Fayette, Ohio. This is super close to our home and we've been there several times. Wouldn't you know, they had one site available in the whole park, so we snatched it up. It was all meant to be.

Trading "Doing" for "Being"

We sat in our camp chairs, listening to the wind filter through the canvas of the trees. I read my book and  drank coffee that tasted infinitely better. When was the last time you just sat in the woods and let yourself entirely relax? No podcasts, no scrolling, no inner voice telling you to be productive. Just the peaceful stillness of the dirt beneath your feet.

A Sky on Fire

Just when I thought the day couldn’t get any more grounding, the evening handed us a masterpiece.

We just noticed the light shifting through the trees—a sudden, deep amber glow that signaled something special was happening. I’ve seen a lot of horizons, but this one stopped me dead in my tracks.

The sky didn't just turn orange; it ignited. It started with a soft, tangerine that quickly melted into layers of pink and blue cotton candy that caught the fading light and turned the clouds into a sweet, glowing haze. It was one of those rare, jaw-dropping sunsets where the colors felt almost too big for the sky. These pictures don't do it justice but I did my best to capture what I could.

Harrison Lake State Park • Site 221

You can see the sunset starting through the trees.

We walked down to the lake for the show. If you look close

to the left, I actually caught a bird in flight.

The reflection on the lake was amazing!

The Takeaway

If we had been rushing to stick to a rigid schedule, or if we had stayed inside cooking a complex meal, we might have missed it entirely.

Being spontaneous isn't about being chaotic; it's about making space for the unexpected. It’s about letting nature surprise you. So, if you're planning your next getaway, here is my challenge to you: leave a few hours—or an entire afternoon—completely blank. Sit still. Listen to the woods. And keep your eyes on the sky. You never know what kind of show you're going to get.

How do you handle unstructured time at camp? Are you a strict planner or a go-with-the-flow camper? Let me know in the comments below.

I can't believe how close I got to this guy.

The weather was absolutely perfect. So glad this

was before the heat and humidity set in.  

The Campground We Can’t Quit: A Love Letter to Ludington State Park

Dear Ludington,

We’ve pulled our RPod all over Michigan, from the rugged corners of the Upper Peninsula to the quietest stretches of the Mitten, but we always find our way back to you. You are, without a doubt, our all-time favorite place to camp.

How could you not be? You have a way of capturing everything we love about the Great Lakes State and packing it into one perfect, pine-scented playground.

We love the way the morning light filters through the canopy of the forest, waking us up with the promise of a new adventure. We love the soundtrack of the Big Sable River gently rushing by, a constant reminder to slow down, enjoying an ice cream cone from the camp store, or just sit and watch all the nature before us. 

There’s a rare kind of magic in our morning routine: hands wrapped around our hot coffee travelers, sitting on our favorite bench as the world wakes up. Watching the shadows stretch and the new day begin is a grounding reminder to forget the noise, slow down, and just breathe it all in.

Every time we pack up the gear, hitch up, and head down your winding roads, it feels less like a trip and more like coming home. You’re our happy place, Ludington. Thanks for always being the perfect host, the ultimate escape, and the keeper of our favorite camping memories.

Until we meet again at the campfire.

Your Devoted Campers,
— ramblingriggs 🌲🔥🚐

Thanks for stopping by! If you loved this, don't forget to bookmark the site. Until the next adventure, keep on 'rambling.'

Our home for the week after Memorial Day 2026.

Site 288 in the Middle Beechwood Campground

at Ludington State Park.

My favorite morning view.

The view every morning from our favorite bench 

on the boardwalk. The coffee tastes so much better here!

The Boardwalk overlooking Hamlin Lake 

at Ludington State Park.

Where does all this sand come from?

The weather was just perfect. Hoodies in the morning, 

t-shirts in the afternoon and back to hoodies in the evening.

We used our heater every night!

The walking path to the camp store.

It isn't right if we don't have our afternoon

ice cream.

The view while enjoying our ice cream 

overlooking the Big Sable River.

Our First Trip of 2026: Sauder Village Campground

Our first camping trip of 2026 brought us to Sauder Village Campground in Archbold, Ohio. It’s a convenient, quick escape from home, and the perfect spot to kick off the season.

The "Sauder" Connection
Full disclosure: I’m more than just a fan of the campground—I’m actually part of the team. I work for the Sauder family in the Worship and Courtroom business unit within Sauder Manufacturing.

If you aren't familiar with "all things Sauder," the history is as interesting as the furniture. It all started with Erie Sauder, a skilled Mennonite cabinetmaker who built custom church pews. As the story goes, he used the leftover wood scraps to craft a small table, which sparked the massive Ready-to-Assemble (RTA) business that is now Sauder Woodworking. I’d be willing to bet many of you have had a piece of Sauder furniture in your home at one time or another!

Sauder Manufacturing was later formed in 1945. Today, we operate across five diverse business units: Worship and Courtroom,Education, Healthcare, Human Services, and Parts.

Preserving History
As Erie neared retirement, he wanted to ensure the legacy of hard work, rural life, and craftsmanship in Northwest Ohio wouldn’t be forgotten. He opened Historic Sauder Village in 1976, which offers an immersive look at life in the region from 1803 through the 1920s.

Why You Should Visit
Whether you’re looking for an easy day trip or a family weekend, I strongly encourage you to check it out.

If you aren't a camper, the Heritage Inn is a lovely place to stay. And whatever you do, make time for a meal at The Barn Restaurant—their fried chicken is, without exaggeration, some of the best I’ve ever had.

Before you head home, don't forget to stop at the Doughbox Bakery for a treat. You must try their scotcheroos; my mouth is watering just thinking about them!

Finally, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that we spent our evenings out with some of my co-workers since we were in Archbold. It was so nice to socialize and relax together outside of work. 

Thanks for stopping by! If you loved this, don't forget to bookmark the site. Until the next adventure, keep on 'rambling.'

— ramblingriggs 🌲🔥🚐

For early May, the weather was perfect!

The 1920s street at Sauder Village.

It was rainy but not a wash-out. 

It eventually turned into a beautiful, spring day.

Who doesn't love baby farm animals? 

They are so cute!

Never too old for a train ride! I'd say my 

selfie skills are finally improving.

Dusting Off the Blog: A 5-Year Photo Tour of Our Camping Life

It’s hard to believe it has been five years since I last sat down to write in this space. If you’ve been here since the beginning, thank you for waiting out the long intermission. If you’re new here, welcome to our digital camp scrapbook.

While the blog has been quiet, our lives out on the trail certainly haven't been. In 2021, we purchased a piece of property in central Michigan to serve as a seasonal camp site. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) basically shut down the world. It was nearly impossible to camp anywhere without planning super far ahead. 

So, why not have our own campsite that we could go to at any point and not worry about making reservations. We put a lot of sweat equity hours and love into this piece of property to clear the land, put in a driveway, electrical, sewer and make it our own. This has been where we have camped until the Fall of 2023 when we decided to slowly start 'rambling' on once again. 

I realized recently how much I missed documenting these moments — not just to remember the logistics of a great site, but to look back on the people, the stories, and the quiet magic of being unplugged surrounded by nature.

So, consider this post a visual reunion. Grab a drink, pull up a camp chair, and take a little stroll through some of our favorite moments, campsites, and milestones from the last five years.

DECEMBER 2021

Our seasonal campsite at White Birch Lakes Recreational Area 

in Farwell, MI. This is just the beginning with putting in our driveway.

MAY 2022

The first weekend on our seasonal campsite at 

White Birch Lakes Recreational Area  in Farwell, MI. 

JUNE 2023

Party lights are up and on which means we have electricity!

JULY 2023

This man deserves to take a seat and relax at the camp fire. 

He put so much time and energy into making this place our own. 

SEPTEMBER 2023

We enjoyed our first, long weekend away from our seasonal campsite at

 Harrison Lake Campground (site 078N) in Fayette, OH. 

It does take some a minute to transition from seasonal camping to weekend camping again. 

OCTOBER 2024

After packing up our seasonal campsite, we headed for a week-long trip to the 

Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We stayed at Tahquamenon Falls State Park on site R-11.

SEPTEMBER 2025

This spot was next to heaven! We've not camped in a national forest 

without any electricity before. This is campsite #9 in the Hiawatha National 

Forest in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan again on the shores of Lake Michigan at St. Ignace. 

We felt like we were the only people around. It was so peaceful. The photo below 

is the view behind our camper. There's nothing I love more than a slow morning, 

with a great cup of french-pressed coffee, enjoying the sites and sounds of Lake Michigan 

with this stunning view!

Do you like what you see at White Birch Lakes Recreational Area? We've decided to sell our seasonal campsite and continue to 'ramblin' on while we still can. 

Here's my shameless plug for our property listing. Check it out!

Thanks for stopping by! If you loved this, don't forget to bookmark the site. 

Until the next adventure, keep on 'rambling'.

— ramblingriggs  🌲🔥🚐